Should Merchant Marines share Butler's World War II monument with other veterans?

A World War II monument in Diamond Park across from the Butler County Courthouse was funded by $450,000 raised by a monument committee. Mariners take exception to the prominence of a plaque that mentions the Merchant Marines.Should the Merchant Marines share the monument with other veterans? [Read PG story.]

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 Why wouldn't they share it?  These guy's were carrying explosives, gasoline, ammo and who knows what in ships that were often unarmed and or undefended.  If I'm not mistaken more than 200 were sunk off the eastern seaboard in 1942 alone.

Courtesy Wikepedia

"The merchant marine was active in subsequent wars, from the Confederate commerce raiders of the American Civil War, to the First and Second Battle of the Atlantic in World War I and World War II. 3.1 million tons of merchant ships were lost in World War II, mariners dying at a rate of 1 in 24. All told, 733 American cargo ships were lost^[15] and 8,651 of the 215,000 who served perished on troubled waters and off enemy shores"

Sure they should

 Of course not....seriously how many differant ways do they need to be told that they are on the memorial....endless public meetings with someone pretending to be an attorney who likes to here herself speak instead of listening don't change the facts.

It's sad that men the age of the mariners think that by stomping their feet and acting like they are 5-years old is going to change the facts.  The shame of the situation is that a few disrespectful men make you disrespect all mariners on so many levels.

Maybe they could tattoo their foreheads so everyone will know that if you were a merchant marine you are more important that Jesus himself.

Also....good job in making this poll almost impossible to find....another way the mariners can distort the truth.

No - Merchant Mariners are not a branch of the Military Armed Forces and, therefore, should not have the honor of being on the front of the WWII Memorial.  Some Mariners did not qualify to join a branch of the Military but there were those that did not WANT to join.  Merchant Mariners made more money than our Military Personnel and the Merchant Mariner could walk off their ship any time they wanted; Military Personnel could not without being subjected to Military action.  The Merchant Mariners delivered goods and supplies to our Military Personnel.  Might I add that growing up with a Lieutenant Colonel and a Korean Veteran in my family, when speaking about any veteran of any war or branch of the Military, you spoke with honor and respect, always.  The Merchant Mariner is honored on the WWII Memorial - 3 times to be exact.  Give John Cyprian and the WWII Memorial Committee the utmost respect that they deserve in constructing such a beautiful Monument. 

No, I think the monument should be left the way it is.  John Cyprian and his commitee did a wonderful job on the monument.  The Merchant Marines are on the monument and i think they should be happy that they are on it.  It's better than not being on the monument at all.

No. Leave the Merchant Marine plaque where it is.  I walked around the Memorial one day and I thought that it was absolutely beautiful.  You could see everyone's name and I can't understand why there is such a problem with the Mariners.  Personally, I think the way the Merchant Marines act on TV at the Commissioners Public Meeting is ridiculous.  We do respect everything you did for the Military and we thank you.  John Cyprian and his Committee have done a wonderful job; let it rest. 

 Those that say no must have selfish reasons. THe following from Wikipedia;

The merchant marine is a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Navy, but not a uniformed service, except in times of war when, in accordance with the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, mariners are considered military personnel. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law granting veteran status to merchant mariners who served in war -— prior to such legislation, they were considered civilians and did not receive any of the veteran's benefits given to members of the U.S. armed forces.

Poll question is completely misleading. One has to "read" the story. There is a bare pillar on the Memorial that is reserved for the KIAs of WW II. The Mariners who are already represented on the Memorial (if one would read the stories) want to "cover" that spot with their emblem.

Therefore the poll quesiton should be: "Do you agree that the Mariners who are represented "3" times on the Butler WW II Memorial be allowed to place their "separate" plaque on a bare pillar honoring our KIAs of WW II?

North Side:

 Those that say no must have selfish reasons. THe following from Wikipedia;

The merchant marine is a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Navy, but not a uniformed service, except in times of war when, in accordance with the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, mariners are considered military personnel. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law granting veteran status to merchant mariners who served in war -— prior to such legislation, they were considered civilians and did not receive any of the veteran's benefits given to members of the U.S. armed forces.

 

 

 Don't read wikipedia...read the act. The act NEVER states they are condisered "military personnel" It states to be used as a "Naval Auxilarly" Which is a far cry from "Military Personnel"! Furthermore, there is a HUGE difference between "veteran status" and being a "Military Veteran". Finally they are represented "3" times already.

Poll question is completely misleading. One has to "read" the story. There is a bare pillar on the Memorial that is reserved for the KIAs of WW II. The Mariners who are already represented on the Memorial (if one would read the stories) want to "cover" that spot with their emblem.

Therefore the poll quesiton should be: "Do you agree that the Mariners who are represented "3" times on the Butler WW II Memorial be allowed to place their "separate" plaque on a bare pillar honoring our KIAs of WW II?

Ditto on don't read and believe everything on wikipedia.  The schools tell your kids not to use "wikipedia" when doing their reports.  Read the Act and read it CAREFULLY.  It states the words "serve as Naval and Military Auxiliary" which per the Webster's Dictionary, Auxiliary means "HELP" or "AID" which, in turn, would mean "serve as Naval and Military HELP" or as an "AID" to the Navy or Military.  And, might I add, that if you AIDed or HELPed the Military, that didn't automatically make you part of the MILITARY PERSONNEL.  

 The committee who designed and built the WW II monument in Butler's Diamond Park had it exactly right with respect to the Merchant Marines.  The Mariners provided an invaluable service to their country during WW II of which they and their countrymen can and should be proud.  But, you cannot equate the work of delivering war materiels to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who used those materiels against an armed enemy.  There is a significant difference between the mission of the Mariners and those involved in direct combat, and the Mariners should understand that difference.